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“I’ll be fine. It’s one of those small towns where everyone knows each other.”
“Which means they’ll cover up a murder for each other.” Jenny huffs out a breath. “I’ve seen those movies.”
“You’ve seentoo manymovies.”
A loud crash sounds in the background, followed by Jenny’s loud groan. “You have to be kidding me.”
I grin, envisioning the mess of soft drinks and ice cubes scattered on the floor in the middle of the diner. “Stu dropped the tray again, didn’t he?”
“This is all your fault, you know. Stu wouldn’t be waiting tables if you hadn’t left for an entire summer.”
Guilt churns in my stomach. “I’m sorry, Jen.”
“Don’t be. I’m totally kidding. Go get your groove back, Stella.”
I grimace and lift my face up toward the clear blue sky. “What if I don’t have any groove to get back? What if—”
“Nope. No way. Stop it right now. There are no what-ifs in life. There’s onlytake anddo. You’re doing this for your mom, so go make her proud. You got this.”
Tears prick my eyes as emotion lodges in my throat. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
“That’s what I’m here for, babe.” Another crash sounds in the background. “Hate to cut you short, but I gotta go.”
“Please don’t yell at Stu. He’s trying his best.”
“Well, his version ofhis bestneeds some work. Love you.”
“Love you more.”
I slip my phone into the back pocket of my frayed denim shorts. Poor Stu was the best waiter we could find on such short notice. Well, he wasn’t the best waiter, but his schedule worked the best for what we needed.
My fingers tighten around the handle of my black suitcase as I stare up at the yellow sign in front of me: Welcome to Sunnyside Inn.
I dig into my duffle bag, and pull out Mom’s bucket list.
Things to Do
1. Ride a bike through Central Park
2. Volunteer at an animal shelter
3. Get makeovers at Macy’s
4. Spend the summer in a new town
5. Go camping
6. Try a new food
7. Take salsa lessons
8. Get matching tattoos
9. Ride a jet ski
10. Go to a Taylor Swift concert
11. Stay up all night and watch the sunrise
